GM Shuns Political Limelight

DETROIT (WWJ) - General Motors says it's trying to stay out of the political limelight by banning President Barack Obama, Republican challenger Mitt Romney and other candidates from its auto plants through the November election.

The automaker wants to put all its energy "behind selling ... cars and trucks," something Autobeat Daily Editor Katie Kerwin says is unprecedented.

"It never occurred to me to think they might do this," Kerwin said. "I can't think of an occasion when this has happened before, but this is an unusual case. GM is feeling like a political football as (President) Barack Obama makes the bailout of GM and Chrysler a centerpiece of his campaign and as Mitt Romney uses it to bash (President) Obama, claiming that it was a bad idea."

GM Vice President Bob Fergusen says "it's an understatement" to say that GM can't wait for the November 6th election to be over.

GM survived bankruptcy through government loans, and the U.S. Treasury owns 26% of GM.